DE102005036566A1 - Picture postcard for use by foreign tourist, has mark, imprinted on its front side, optically detectable as indication signal in such a manner that postcard is detected as post-paid postcard, where signal is machine-readable - Google Patents

Abstract

The postcard (10) has a flat front side imprinted with a picture theme (12), and a back side to be labeled. A mark (14) is imprinted on the front side, and is optically detectable by a machine as an indication signal in such a manner that the postcard is detected as post-paid postcard. The indication signal is a machine-readable signal. The mark is formed as an edge strip that is distinctive from rest of the picture theme, where the edge strip is dichromatic in design.

Description

background the invention

The The invention relates to a postcard with a flat front side, on which a pictorial view motif is printed, and with a back side to be inscribed.

at Postcards, which carry a pictorial view motive and for example at souvenir stalls near of sights are sold, the problem is that the buyer always separately a stamp must acquire. Because the buyers but for example as foreign Tourists when buying stamps often already have considerable linguistic to overcome obstacles have to and also souvenir stalls Often sell no stamps, the purchase of matching stamps represent a real problem.

Because Stamps in general for different mail items can be used, they also make one monetary Value represented by e.g. Theft can lead to damage and loss.

Finally, poses the manufacture and distribution of stamps generally one considerable effort.

Out In the field of mailings postcards are known, which in Essentially complete unlabeled and only on your back, so that side, on the the recipient's address is to be applied with a monochrome imprinted note, that the postcard as such is pre-franked. The buyer pays with such a postcard when buying the postage already with.

such Postcards are completely unsuitable as picture postcards because they are missing You already have the visual nature of a picture postcard View motif.

underlying task

Of the Invention has for its object to provide a picture postcard overcome with the problems mentioned above and especially one for both the buyer, the seller as well as the advancing one Overall, postal companies are particularly easy and inexpensive to practicing mailing possible is.

Inventive solution

These Task is according to the invention with a Ppc according to claim 1 solved. Such a picture postcard according to the invention indicates a flat Front a pictorial, printed on and motif is at her back with enough free space provided to the buyer so that label or otherwise make graphic. On the front is also according to the invention a mechanically optically recognizable character printed on which as an indication of this it can be seen that the picture postcard is pre-franked.

The Postcard according to the invention So not only has a pre-franking, but is also on your front with a machine-readable signal provided for both the buyer, the seller and also the post office company transporting the postcard lightly can be seen.

The thus-formed notification signal has the following multiple function:
For the buyer, the notification signal according to the invention is a clear sign that he does not have to worry about franking himself when he sees and acquires such a postcard according to the invention.

Of the Seller recognizes on the basis of the sign according to the invention (possibly by a reader at a cash register) that this Postcard a raised Selling price has because of the buyer also has to pay the postage.

Finally, can the postal company on the notification signal according to the invention (again, if appropriate with the help of a machine detection) notice that the picture postcard franked and transported accordingly.

Furthermore includes the solution according to the invention Risk from that postcard and stamp on two different Places would have to be purchased. The invention also ensures that the pre-franking by Imprint already in the production on the picture postcard is attached and thus already ready to ship. Also, according to the invention stamps no longer due to improper treatment be canceled by the purchaser.

By the optical indication signal, the buyer clearly and in particular already clearly visualized from a greater distance that it is a pre-franked postcard which has the above-mentioned advantages and brings with it. The possible buyer becomes thereby is excited to look at the postcard in more detail and then purchase it.

With the picture postcard according to the invention needs a selling point offering this offer no more associated stamps. This reduces the risk of theft and the resulting connected damage significantly. Outlets, which so far none Stamps may have sold generate additional business due to the invention. This additional business includes the pre-franking sold in the context of the invention and also the profit by new customers, which the previous separate acquisition from postcard and stamp was too elaborate.

Also an over- or franking the picture postcard according to the invention is excluded. This has advantages for the buyer because he pays for the promotion the picture postcard neither too much nor too little. For the postal company lies the advantage in that printed the postage stamp in a simple manner and also an increase or reduction of the transport fee the picture postcard according to the invention can be implemented easily and flexibly.

Finally is emphasize that the respective postal companies for the picture postcards according to the invention No need to produce and distribute stamps, so it too corresponding savings are made in this area.

advantageous Further developments of the invention

at an advantageous development of the picture postcard according to the invention is to increase the above advantages that on the front of the picture postcard also mechanically optically recognizable characters as one from the rest pictorial view motif clearly distinguishing margins designed.

to further improved recognizability of the sign according to the invention, especially with automatic detection and also for potential buyers the edge strip preferably designed at least two-tone.

Especially it is preferred according to the invention that the picture postcard is designed essentially rectangular and the marginal strip on at least two of the sides of the rectangular shape is trained.

Around To achieve the above advantages in a particularly pronounced form is it is further preferred that on the back of the picture postcard according to the invention an automatically recognizable postage stamp is imprinted, which is also to be recognized as a warning signal that the Postcard is pre-franked.

The such postage stamps attached is also advantageous at least designed in two colors.

Finally are according to the invention and / or back prefers further, in particular multilingual, textual warning signals provided, which indicate the pre-franked character of the postcard.

Summary the drawings

following Be exemplary embodiments of the invention postcards with the attached schematic drawings closer explained. It shows:

1 each a view of the front of four different embodiments of a picture postcard according to the invention,

2 each a view of the front of four other different embodiments of a picture postcard according to the invention,

3 each a view of the front of four other different embodiments of a picture postcard according to the invention,

4 a view of the front side of another embodiment of a picture postcard according to the invention,

5 a view of the front side of another embodiment of a picture postcard according to the invention,

6 a view of the back of one of the embodiments of a picture postcard according to the invention,

7 a detail of the view according to 6 .

8th a view of the back of another embodiment of a picture postcard according to the invention,

9 a detail of the view according to 8th .

10 in each case a view of the back of four different embodiments of a picture postcard according to the invention and

11 a view of the front of second other various embodiments of a postcard according to the invention.

detailed Description of the embodiments

In the 1 to 4 is always the front of a picture postcard 10 Fig. 11 illustrates a pictorial view motif substantially filling the entire front side 12 wearing. The view motif 12 is through a conventional color printing process on the postcard 10 have been printed.

At the front of the picture postcards 10 is with the imprint of the view motif 12 Furthermore, a clearly visible from afar and also visually visually good he recognizable signs 14 have been printed. The sign 14 serves as a clear indication that the postcard 10 is pre-franked.

In the in the 1 to 4 Illustrated embodiments is the sign 14 each as an edge strip on the otherwise rectangular shaped front of the associated picture postcard 10 designed. The edge strip extends according to the various embodiments of different and especially on several sides of the rectangular shape of the front of the postcard 10 , The or the edge strip is designed for better (even mechanical) recognizability in each case three colors, namely with alternating white, red and blue stripes.

In 5 an embodiment is illustrated in which in the area of the view subject 12 within a the sign 14 forming a complete border in the form of a multilingual text 16 located. This text 16 west also on the pre-franked character of the associated picture postcard 10 out.

6 shows the back of the picture postcards 10 , as in the example 1 to 5 are shown. This back is with a printed postage stamp 18 provided, which is above an address field 20 is arranged. The postage stamp 18 is in 7 illustrated in more detail and with a green example hint field 22 designed, which of a red surface 22 is surrounded. Inside the red area 24 is again a multilingual text 26 , which again on the pre-franked character of the associated picture postcard 10 points.

The 8th and 9 illustrate once in overview and once as a detailed view of an embodiment of a picture postcard 10 , in which except the postal stamp 18 under the address field 20 also a multilingual textual reference 28 is also printed on the back of the picture postcard 10 again, indicating that the corresponding picture postcard 10 is pre-franked.

The 10 to 12 Finally, illustrate various preferred arrangement areas for a hint 28 on the back of a picture postcard 10 , These preferred placement areas are immediately below or above the address field 20 or on the edge of an open space, which is used for the lettering of the postcard 10 provided by the buyer.

In conclusion, be noted that all Characteristics contained in the application documents and in particular in the dependent Called claims are, despite the formal reference made to one or more certain claims, also individually or in any combination independent protection is to arrive.

10

postcard

12

view Scene

14

character

16

text

18

Postage stamps

20

address field

22

Note field

24

surrounding area

26

text

28

Note

Claims (6)

Postcard ( 10 ) with a flat front side, on which a pictorial view motif ( 12 ) is printed, and with a back side to be inscribed, characterized in that on the front of a mechanically visually recognizable character ( 14 ), which can be recognized as a warning signal that the picture postcard ( 10 ) is pre-franked. Postcard according to claim 1, characterized in that the on the front also mechanically optically recognizable characters ( 14 ) as a rest of the pictorial view ( 12 ) is designed clearly distinctive edge strip. Postcard according to claim 2, characterized that the edge strip is designed at least two-tone. Postcard according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the postcard ( 10 ) is substantially rectangular in shape and the edge strip is formed on at least two of the sides of the rectangular shape. Ppc according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that on the back of a machine-recognizable Postwertzeichen ( 18 ), which is also to be recognized as a warning signal that the picture postcard ( 10 ) is pre-franked. Postcard according to claim 5, characterized in that the postage stamp ( 18 ) is designed at least two-colored.